Ricky Ponting hits back as Aussie cricket great is awkwardly dragged into Big Bash final sledging war
Ricky Ponting hits back as Aussie cricket great is awkwardly dragged into Big Bash final sledging war
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Matthew Wade and Sam Billings exchanged a prickly war of words during the Hobart Hurricanes' seven-wicket victory over the Sydney Thunder in the final of the Big Bash League on Monday night. Aussie legend Ricky Ponting has also bizarrely weighed into the on-field spat, as the Tasmania side smashed their way to their maiden BBL title.
![[Billings had attempted to get under Wade's skin claiming that Wade could not play with a straight bat]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/27/14/94561293-0-Billings_had_attempted_to_get_under_Wade_s_skin_claiming_that_Wa-a-37_1737989432966.jpg)
Mitchell Owen starred as the man-of-the-match as he broke multiple records with a score of 108 off 42 deliveries to guide Hobart to victory. The 23-year-old smashed 11 sixes on his way to equalling Craig Simmons' record of scoring the fastest-ever Big Bash final ton in 39 deliveries.
![[The pair also bumpred into each other during their on-pitch spat, with Billings dragging Ricky Ponting into the row]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/27/14/94560857-0-The_pair_also_bumpred_into_each_other_during_their_on_pitch_spat-a-38_1737989435712.jpg)
But after he was caught out by Hugh Weibgen at deep square leg, Wade came to the crease to see out the match and engaged in a sledging match with England star Billings. Wade had attempted to play a reverse sweep and had appeared to catch the ire of Billings, who was overheard on the stumps mic taunting the Australian as the pair both placed the bails back on the stumps.
![[Ponting had questioned why he had been involved, claiming it was a 'bit much' to drag him into the sledging war]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/27/14/94561677-14330085-image-a-40_1737989587368.jpg)
'Nice Wadey, you’re always making friends aren’t you? Always,' Billings was heard saying. Matthew Wade (pictured) and Sam Billings engaged in a war of words during the Big Bash final. Billings had attempted to get under Wade's skin claiming that Wade could not play with a straight bat.
![[Wade would go on to help Hobart seal their first Big Bash League title, hitting 32 runs off 17 balls]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/27/14/94560907-0-image-a-21_1737989030423.jpg)
The pair also bumpred into each other during their on-pitch spat, with Billings dragging Ricky Ponting into the row. Wade attempted to play the same shot again and this time made connection with Tom Andrews' delivery, sending it long for another boundary.
![[Their hilarious spat had some commentators watching on giggling to themselves, with Billings also trying to taunt Wade, saying: 'Good fishing down in Tassie.']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/27/14/94560843-0-image-m-23_1737989058447.jpg)
